A-League Preview: City v Perth

Melbourne City will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at AAMI Park when they host ladder leaders Perth Glory on Sunday afternoon.

Unbeaten in their past eight fixtures at the venue, City will be looking to make it nine games on the trot when they face one of the toughest challenges in the league. Yet to lose a match on the road this season, Perth sit on top of the league standings with just one defeat.

Head Coach Warren Joyce and his men are coming off a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory at Marvel Stadium last Saturday night.

After a tight opening quarter of an hour, City striker Jamie Maclaren made it three goals from his opening three games, converting from the penalty spot to hand the visitors a 1-0 lead.

As City looked to find their feet in the early stages of the second half, Victory made the most of the situation, capitalising on Eugene Galekovic’s lapse in concentration. Kevin Muscat’s men broke away before Kosta Barbarouses’ mistimed cross to the front post saw the goalkeeper parry the ball into his own net to make it 1-1.

This week’s opponents, Perth Glory, were also forced to settle for a draw in Round 20.

In-form attacker Chris Ikonomidis opened the scoring in the 23rd minute against Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium, before late heroics from Tarek Elrich saw the hosts earn a share of the spoils. The defender picked up the ball, before blasting his effort home from range to make it 1-1 in the 95th minute.

With City’s strong run at AAMI Park and Perth’s form on the road, we are set for an entertaining clash in front of the City faithful on Sunday evening.

Team news

Four players added to the extended squad, as Head Coach Warren Joyce is forced to reshuffle the backline due to suspensions. Full Team News here.

What was said

Melbourne City attacker Jamie Maclaren

“We all know what we’re up against but if we focus on our own backyard and worry about ho we’re going to create chances and then really push forward, we’ll do good things on Sunday and it’s time to really get three points because I know and I can sense the vibe that once we do get those three points, we’ll be hard team to stop.”

Last time they met

The last time the two teams met was in Round 14, when the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at AAMI Park.

Following a tight opening to the contest, City gained control late in the first half but with chances few and far between, the match ended goalless.